MODES EXPLAINED If you are trying to learn how to improvise on the saxophone you probably have come across modes in one form or another. I’ve just released my latest course called the Harmonic Foundation which covers all the scales, chords, and music theory you need to know in order to improvise with confidence in […]
MODES EXPLAINED – The Ultimate Multi-Tool for Improvising Musicians Read More »
Hallelujah I Love Her So! In this lesson, we’re going to dive in to the Don Wilkerson solo on the Ray Charles recording of “Hallelujah I Love Her So!” I’ve been a huge of fan of Ray Charles’ music since I was a kid. His music has had a big impact on my playing. Plus,
Great Sax Solos Ep. 2 Hallelujah I Love Her So! Read More »
Today, for all of you beginners, we’re going to talk about the best way to put a reed on a saxophone mouthpiece. This is tricky at first. But once you get it, there is only one RIGHT way to do this. Step 1: Wet the Reed First, put the thin end of the reed in
How to Put a Reed on a Saxophone Mouthpiece Read More »
Today we’re talking to my friend Ian Hendrickson Smith. He’s a great saxophone player who works on the tonight show with Jimmy Fallon playing with the Roots. You can watch the full video above to hear what Ian has to say. The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon Here’s a clip you’ve probably seen… 60 million
Why TV Musicians Get NOTHING for Streaming Content Read More »
Yamaha YAS-280 Alto Saxophone Everybody always asks about the Yamaha YAS-280 Alto Saxophone. If you’re a beginner who is starting out, I would consider the Yamaha YAS-280. This instrument sells for about $1,100 and some saxophonists have actually played on Yamaha Saxophones for their entire musical careers. Unless you’re at the highest level of saxophone playing,
Is the Yamaha YAS-280 Still the Top Student Saxophone??? Read More »
The Jean Paul AS-400 Alto Saxophone Updated: The Jean-Paul AS-400 is a solid saxophone considering it’s low price. Jean-Paul USA has been providing great customer service and the sax comes with a good beginner mouthpiece, case and all the other necessary accessories to get started. The BetterSax Alto Saxophone Now if your budget can stretch
Jean Paul AS-400 Unbox Play-test and Review Read More »
If you’re around my age and from Long Island like I am… You definitely recognize the sax solo from the Billy Joel hit song New York State of Mind. Today, I’m going to analyze this classic solo and we’re going to go over some of the techniques used. Then I’ll show you how you can
Sax Solo Lesson – New York State of Mind Read More »
Latest Saxophone Gear and Sax Gadgets Looking for saxophone gear is often like finding a kid in a candy store. There are so many cool sax gadgets out there. If you’re a saxophone player or you know a saxophone player, this list of gear is for YOU. Spit Sponge 2:18 Spit Sponge Key Leaves 3:19
What to Get for the Sax Player Who Has EVERYTHING | Latest Sax Gadgets Read More »
I talked to the incredibly talented Kim Bock of KB Sax in New York. Not only is he a great saxophone player, but he’s also a skilled craftsman who makes custom saxophone necks entirely by hand. I visited with him in his workshop earlier this year to try out his necks and he was kind
Making Saxophone Necks by Hand in NYC | KB Sax Read More »
I’ve been playing on these metal Jody Jazz tenor sax mouthpieces since January and I need your help. Today, I’m going to review and play test four outstanding metal mouthpieces from Jody Jazz. Then, I want to hear what you all think! Why do I review all of these mouthpieces? Well first of all… It’s
Killer Metal Jody Jazz Tenor Sax Mouthpieces – Play Test & Review Read More »
Jean Paul Tenor Saxophone Today I am going to review the Jean Paul TS-400 Tenor Saxophone. I was very impressed with the Jean Paul AS-400 Alto Saxophone, so I’m expecting good things from this instrument. Selling currently for $899 (price can change from date of video release) the Jean Paul TS-400 right out of the
Jean Paul TS-400 Tenor Unbox and Review Read More »
That Time Leo P Went Beast Mode I think every sax player in the world has seen the video where Leo P plays the intro to “Moanin” at the BBC proms. On August 24th, 2017, Leo Pelligrino appeared as a guest soloist with the Metropole Orkest at the BBC Proms. He played a solo intro
That Time Leo P Rocked ?? the Saxophone World Read More »
My friend Michael Ghegan came by the studio the other day. Besides being an all around incredible multi-instrumentalist, singer, composer, arranger and producer… He is an authority on playing the saxophone in a pop music setting, having toured with Elton John, Aerosmith, Jamiroquai, the Allman Brothers, and currently Supertramp. Today he’s going to share with
Sax Soloing in Pop Music – with Michael Ghegan Read More »
Saxophone repair shops seem to be an endangered species these days. There was a time where you could take your sax to any number of places in times square. It felt like a saxophone wonderland! I used to work at one of these repair shops on 48th St, Rod Baltimore’s NY Woodwind and Brass. While
What Happened to New York’s Famed Music District? Read More »
3D Printed mouthpieces are the new thing in the saxophone world that everyone’s talking about. In today’s video I’m going to play test a bunch of these SYOS mouthpieces. Then I’ll tell you if I think they live up to the hype. Be sure to leave a comment below with your thoughts and experiences with
3D Printed Saxophone Mouthpieces from SYOS – All Hype? Read More »
Derek Brown – BeatBox Sax “My special ability is not memorizing things, it’s not that I pick up things quickly or have a good ear… If I have any special ability at all, it’s the actual ability,” – Derek Brown, BeatBox Sax I sat down to chat with Beat Box Saxophonist Derek Brown at the
The Secret Super Power of a Slow Learner – Derek Brown BeatBox Sax Read More »
Q&A #1 – Squeaky Saxophone Reeds… Today, I’m answering YOUR saxophone questions in the first BetterSax Q&A. I’ll cover: how to fix and avoid squeaky saxophone reeds playing in the altissimo register tips on getting the low notes to come out on your saxophone playing the overtones in tune. Check out the full Q+A video
SQUEAKY Saxophone Reeds, Altissimo, LOW Notes, Overtones | Q&A #1 Read More »
Carpooling with Bob Reynolds In this interview, I talk with one of my favorite saxophone players, Bob Reynolds. We discuss what it’s like managing competing priorities as a recording artist and touring musician. Bob Reynolds is a Grammy-Award winning jazz tenor saxophonist. He is mainly known for his work with the jazz and funk band
Silencing Your Internal Editor – Carpooling With Bob Reynolds Read More »
Doctor Thunder Had the pleasure of being interviewed by Sean Wallace AKA “Doctor Thunder.” We talked about content creation, the value of a college degree in music in the age of new information and geeked out over saxophone gear… As always. Take a listen to the full interview, and let me know what you think
Conversations with Doctor Thunder Read More »
There’s so much information out there these days, it can be tough to know what to listen to and what things might be saxophone myths. Today, I want to try and debunk some common myths and misconceptions about learning to play the saxophone. Many of these might be getting in the way for some of you
Top 10 Myths about Learning Saxophone Read More »
The ReedGeek Those of you who follow BetterSax closely, know just how much I love the ReedGeek and what it can do for my saxophone playing. Earlier this year, my good friend Kyle Roberts came by to catch up and pick up his new tool. I brought him back a ReedGeek from the NAMM show
How to Improve Every Saxophone Reed – The ReedGeek Read More »
